A retired maintenance fitter who was exposed to asbestos while working for a Hull firm has been awarded a whopping £46,750 payout.

Charles Johnson, 80, developed asbestosis - a serious long-term lung condition caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos - after being exposed to the toxic fibres while working with a Hull manufacturer between 1975 and 1997.

"In my first job I was never once warned about asbestos," Charles said.

"In my last few years of working before retirement my bosses started to acknowledge that asbestos could be dangerous, but their advice was very vague and didn’t lead to any changes in procedure."

What asbestos material looks like (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Charles, who also worked for a timber firm between 1963 and 1970, instructed his union Unite to take on his claim through Thompsons solicitors after he was left with a persistent cough and breathlessness.

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Karen Reay, Yorkshire and Humberside regional secretary at Unite the Union, said: "Charles has had his life turned upside down because of his asbestos disease. He was put at risk by his employers for decades and he is now suffering as a result.

"We are pleased that we were able to support Charles and ensure he secured the maximum compensation possible.

"Because he pursued his claim through his union membership, he was able to keep 100 per cent of his compensation."

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